Leg Buys: Nathan McSweeney’s Test selection forces Heat into rethink for BBL, Dan Christian closes in on comeback
Nathan McSweeney’s selection in Australia’s Test squad for the series against India has forced the Heat into a rethink for their BBL roster - and they might have locked in a key replacement. DANIEL CHERNY has the details, and more, in LEG BUYS.
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Brisbane Heat is set to announce the signing of all-rounder Jack Wood to fill the reigning champions’ penultimate list vacancy, but it is the club’s last list position that has got the Heat’s brains trust ticking into overdrive.
Unlike most other Big Bash Leauge clubs, the Heat opted against committing to anyone for its 18th spot, waiting until there was greater clarity surrounding player availability for the season that begins on December 13.
And it’s a good thing the Heat did just that, with the rise of Nathan McSweeney meaning Brisbane is now unlikely to see any of the title-winning captain until deep into the season.
McSweeney has joined fellow Heat batters Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja in Australia’s Test top order, and it could force a change in tack when it comes to choosing the last player.
The prevailing view from industry sources had been that Brisbane was keen to sign a bowler for that opening, however McSweeney’s ascension is likely to mean the Heat will now opt for a batter.
With most of the Heat’s list also on Queensland’s books, the Heat could opt for another Bulls player. Angus Lovell, Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne and Hugo Burdon would all be options, while Daniel Drew posted a century for South Australia against Victoria last week in the One-Day Cup and is untied to a BBL club.
Those who miss out on the final spot at the Heat will not have their hopes dashed entirely given there will be significant scope for local replacement players due to the prolonged absence of the Test batters.
Young seamer Tom Whitney shapes as a likely option after impressing for the Bulls. WA paceman Bryce Jackson had also been linked with the Heat but is believed to now be more likely to join the Perth Scorchers as a replacement player for Mitch Marsh.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Wood, 28, has been on the fringes of the Heat side in recent years, playing two matches for the club, the last of which came in January 2022. He recently played for Australia in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament, making an unbeaten half-century and taking two wickets against Nepal.
The Heat is optimistic Michael Neser will be available for the start of the club’s BBL campaign following his hamstring injury playing for Australia A.
Elsewhere the Melbourne Stars are understood to be looking at a bowler to fill their final list spot, a decision in part shaped by Scott Boland’s selection in the Australian Test squad.
Wicketkeeper-batter Liam Blackford had previously attracted interest from the Stars.
The Melbourne Renegades are on the hunt for an overseas replacement player to fill the breach left by English blaster Laurie Evans, who will leave before the end of the regular season to play in the ILT20 competition.
From the 13-man Test squad, the Heat (three players) are the most affected BBL club, ahead of Adelaide (Alex Carey and Travis Head) and Perth (Marsh and Josh Inglis). The Sydney Sixers have three players Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in the Test squad but Hazlewood and Starc are only signed as marquee supplementary players meaning they do not take primary list spots. The Renegades (Nathan Lyon) and Stars (Boland) have one while Sydney Thunder have Pat Cummins on their supplementary list and the Hobart Hurricanes are unaffected.
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
Dan Christian’s comeback attempt is gaining steam.
The former Australian white-ball all-rounder plundered 130 from 164 balls playing for the University of NSW against Sutherland in NSW Premier Cricket over the weekend.
As revealed by this column last week, Christian, 41, is keen to return to the professional cricket circuit, including eyeing a new BBL opportunity after finishing up with the Sydney Sixers almost two years ago.
It’s likely any BBL playing stint for Christian this season will come as a replacement player. He is on the books of the Sydney Thunder as an assistant coach.
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Originally published as Leg Buys: Nathan McSweeney’s Test selection forces Heat into rethink for BBL, Dan Christian closes in on comeback
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